Fame has its price.
In exchange for big bucks, the stars always have to look perfect.
But they, too, are human and they can't have it all.
This year's most read story—KC Concepcion finally admits breakup with Piolo Pascual; refuses to say why—showed the vulnerable side of the 26-year-old actress.
Her face devoid of makeup, she shed tears for her failed relationship with Piolo Pascual.
She said in her November 27 interview on The Buzz, "Binigyan ko siya second chance, third chance, fourth chance, fifth chance, sixth chance, seventh chance.
"Pagdating ng eighth chance, parang na-realize ko, hindi lahat ng problema, nadadaan sa kilig, hindi lahat ng problema nadadaan sa tawa, hindi lahat nadadaan sa kilig.
"Kasi ang galing-galing niyang magpakilig. Ang tanga-tanga ko..."
And if there's one thing she wishes, "Makahanap talaga ako ng true love."
In exchange for publicity—which helps propel their careers—they have also given up their privacy.
But there are some things the stars prefer to keep from the public.
If John Lloyd Cruz could have his way, he would keep his love life private.
But even his very discreet dates, not to mention the confrontations between his ex-girlfriend Ruffa Gutierrez and present love Shaina Magdayao, found their way to the media.
"Wala naman akong sama ng loob sa press. I'm not blaming them. Ganun talaga...May magagawa ba ako?" he said in one of his interviews, accepting that this was a consequence of fame.
In exchange for wealth, some personalities become controversy magnets.
Jinkee Pacquiao, despite her stature as the wife of a world-famous boxer, does not enjoy being in the limelight.
To this day, she admits to feeling nervous when she faces the camera. But she has already prepared herself for the never-ending bouts with rumors about Manny Pacquiao's reported infidelities.
Her favorite retort: "Kailangan ko ng proof. Ibigay mo sa akin anytime, anywhere, o, di ba. Andito lang ako 24/7."
The reward: "Hermes, gusto niyo?"
In exchange for stardom, our idols have to be able to turn the tide, and rise like the heroes and heroines they portray in soap operas.
Andi Eigenmann chose to look at the bright side of things and accepted her pregnancy as a "blessing."
While most actresses go on hiatus or prefer to give birth abroad, the daughter of Mark Gil and Jaclyn Jose became very visible in showbiz events, showing off her baby bump with pride.
Nora Aunor played the game of patience for eight years, and finally made her showbiz comeback last August 2.
This time, she acknowledged her past mistakes—her being "rebelde" and "tomador"—and promised, "Nagbago na po ako."
In showbiz, the show must go on.
Even if some celebrities would want the intrigues to stop—the way Claudine Barretto cried "Nakakapikon na" when breakup rumors persistently surrounded her marriage—it's a given that they have to deal with them...and live with them.
Here's the remaining half of 2011, and what some stars have had to pay in exchange for fame.